| 摘要 |
Positioning of the distal end of a catheter at a desired location, for example, in the desired atrium of a patient's heart, can be determined or verified through measurement of blood gas values proximate to the distal end. In one embodiment, an oximeter is used to monitor oxygen saturation, for example, to distinguish between de-oxygenated venous blood and well-oxygenated arterial blood. Optical signals may be transmitted to the distal end of the catheter and received therefrom via optical fibers. Specifically, a catheter (300) has a number of optical fiber ends (308, 310 and 312) disposed at a distal end (304) thereof. A first fiber end (310) transmits the red and infrared optical signals. Fiber ends (308 and 312) are used for detecting reflected optical signals. The optical signals are then processed by a detector and an oximeter instrument to provide oxygen saturation readings that can indicate the position of the distal end of the catheter within the patient's heart or successful penetration of the interatrial septum.
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